(December 9, 1920 - July 26, 2012)
Word has been received of the death of Sister M. Valeria (Walker) who died at l:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Saint Mary’s Convent, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Sister Valeria was never halfhearted in any aspect of her life. From her early years on the family farm, where she accomplished amazing physical tasks beyond her years, to her almost 60 years of dedicated service in the classrooms of the elementary and secondary schools of the Midwest and West, she never stinted in her efforts to give her best. And she was just as passionate in her devotion to family and to community; her loyalty was deep and lasting.
She was one of ten children, seven brothers and two sisters. Because farming was a way of life for the Walker family, the children knew that they were expected to help out with the various chores. For them, working together was a bonding experience and created a closeness that carried throughout the years. Sister Valeria loved to talk about her family and their life on the farm. She was particularly proud of her brothers who served in the military and kept in close contact with each of them. She said, “I always feel welcome in all of my brothers’ and sisters’ homes. I feel lucky I don’t need an invitation.” She loved the time she spent with them.
Keeping up-to-date on the lives of such a large family could be challenging, but it was a labor of love for Sister Valeria. She was so proud of her nephew Kevin Harvick, a NASCAR driver, that she posted a NASCAR calendar in the convent library that featured him. She often asked us to pray for his safety when he was scheduled to race and rightly boasted when he won the Daytona 500 race, one of his many accomplishments.
Sister Valeria herself accomplished a great deal during her years in Holy Cross. The fact that she entered the community immediately from high school without prior contact with Holy Cross sisters is amazing. Her only contact with any Holy Cross member was her uncle, Brother Paulinus, CSC, who was in charge of the Holy Cross brothers’ St. Joseph farm in Indiana for 50 years. She often recalled the joy of having him visit their family farm during his vacations.
Once her formation years were over, Sister Valeria advanced her education with a BA and then an MA both from the University of Notre Dame and went on to obtain a library science degree from Northern Illinois University. This academic preparation was put to excellent use during her years of ministry.
She began teaching in the lower elementary grades then moved to the junior high before making the change to high school librarian. Her friend Sister Timothea (Kingston) wrote, “In her work as the school librarian she was meticulous, exacting, firm. But, she was always approachable and most helpful. She had a unique understanding of teenagers, particularly the pranks and teasing of the boys. They knew how to tease her and get by with it, but they always respected her. The girls knew they were expected to act like ‘young ladies’ at all times.” Sister Valeria, herself, everyday dressed as an elegant woman – suit, heels, and hose – this according to Sister Patrice (McGee) another good friend. Sister Valeria was always an example of her expectations of others.
“In local community,” Sister Timothea continued, “ Valeria was always a quiet, pleasant presence, a good listener whose contributions to conversations, discussions and opinions were spoken with carefully chosen words that spoke their own wisdom, often with humor and certainly kindliness. She had health issues but never allowed herself the ‘luxury’ of burdening us with her discomfort or pain.”
In describing Sister Valeria’s prayer life, Sister Patrice put it succinctly: “it was a “‘prayer of quiet,‘ no fanfare or loud noise or singing, just quiet time with God.” Now Sister Valeria rests quietly in the arms of her God.
Funeral arrangements for Sister Valeria are as follows: Reception of the body and wake on Monday, July 30, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with the Mass of Resurrection at 1:30 p.m. on the same day. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. May Sister Valeria rest in peace.
Sister Valeria was never halfhearted in any aspect of her life. From her early years on the family farm, where she accomplished amazing physical tasks beyond her years, to her almost 60 years of dedicated service in the classrooms of the elementary and secondary schools of the Midwest and West, she never stinted in her efforts to give her best. And she was just as passionate in her devotion to family and to community; her loyalty was deep and lasting.
She was one of ten children, seven brothers and two sisters. Because farming was a way of life for the Walker family, the children knew that they were expected to help out with the various chores. For them, working together was a bonding experience and created a closeness that carried throughout the years. Sister Valeria loved to talk about her family and their life on the farm. She was particularly proud of her brothers who served in the military and kept in close contact with each of them. She said, “I always feel welcome in all of my brothers’ and sisters’ homes. I feel lucky I don’t need an invitation.” She loved the time she spent with them.
Keeping up-to-date on the lives of such a large family could be challenging, but it was a labor of love for Sister Valeria. She was so proud of her nephew Kevin Harvick, a NASCAR driver, that she posted a NASCAR calendar in the convent library that featured him. She often asked us to pray for his safety when he was scheduled to race and rightly boasted when he won the Daytona 500 race, one of his many accomplishments.
Sister Valeria herself accomplished a great deal during her years in Holy Cross. The fact that she entered the community immediately from high school without prior contact with Holy Cross sisters is amazing. Her only contact with any Holy Cross member was her uncle, Brother Paulinus, CSC, who was in charge of the Holy Cross brothers’ St. Joseph farm in Indiana for 50 years. She often recalled the joy of having him visit their family farm during his vacations.
Once her formation years were over, Sister Valeria advanced her education with a BA and then an MA both from the University of Notre Dame and went on to obtain a library science degree from Northern Illinois University. This academic preparation was put to excellent use during her years of ministry.
She began teaching in the lower elementary grades then moved to the junior high before making the change to high school librarian. Her friend Sister Timothea (Kingston) wrote, “In her work as the school librarian she was meticulous, exacting, firm. But, she was always approachable and most helpful. She had a unique understanding of teenagers, particularly the pranks and teasing of the boys. They knew how to tease her and get by with it, but they always respected her. The girls knew they were expected to act like ‘young ladies’ at all times.” Sister Valeria, herself, everyday dressed as an elegant woman – suit, heels, and hose – this according to Sister Patrice (McGee) another good friend. Sister Valeria was always an example of her expectations of others.
“In local community,” Sister Timothea continued, “ Valeria was always a quiet, pleasant presence, a good listener whose contributions to conversations, discussions and opinions were spoken with carefully chosen words that spoke their own wisdom, often with humor and certainly kindliness. She had health issues but never allowed herself the ‘luxury’ of burdening us with her discomfort or pain.”
In describing Sister Valeria’s prayer life, Sister Patrice put it succinctly: “it was a “‘prayer of quiet,‘ no fanfare or loud noise or singing, just quiet time with God.” Now Sister Valeria rests quietly in the arms of her God.
Funeral arrangements for Sister Valeria are as follows: Reception of the body and wake on Monday, July 30, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. with the Mass of Resurrection at 1:30 p.m. on the same day. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. May Sister Valeria rest in peace.